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The National Administration of TV and Radio (NATR), the newly formed Chinese media regulator, has published a draft discussion of the Provisions on Administration of Import and Broadcasting of Overseas Audio-Visual Programs. The provisions will aim to regulate the distribution of foreign content, including movies, TV shows, animation and documentaries. Media industry players were invited to comment on the draft until 19 October 2018.

The Central and Eastern Europe pay TV market monitor provides an in-depth insight into the key trends affecting the pay TV market in the CEE region in 2017. It includes data and analysis on pay TV operators, their subscribers and revenues, key M&A activity in the region, and the impact of online TV services on pay TV growth. The report focuses on the top eight CEE markets; Poland, Russia, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Serbia and Bulgaria.

This report analyses how telecoms operators are positioning video as a core service to maintain their market position and drivie future growth. Covering the 50 leading global operators this report provides case studies and best practices for video success.

The US National Football League (NFL) and Tencent signed a deal on 21 August, which gives the Chinese internet giant exclusive rights to digitally stream games online in China for three years until 2019. Acquiring foreign sports rights is part of a wider content strategy to retain users or encourage users to spend more time with Tencent’s various platforms. As for NFL, China is an ideal market to benefit from the digitisation of sports viewing and expand NFL’s audience base as the Asian country has almost 1 billion online users.

Bulgarian operator Bulsatcom has successfully launched the country’s first geostationary satellite, BulgariaSat 1, in cooperation with Ellon Musk’s SpaceX. The satellite, which launched on June 24 2017, is owned and operated by Bulsatcom and is the second satellite to be launched in Europe with 100% private investment. The total value of the project is $235 million, with an estimated return on investment of 10 years.

The esports-video boom continues – total hours viewed exceeded 6 billion in 2016, according to IHS Markit data, up 19% on 2015. Esports advertising globally was worth $280 million in 2016 and, by 2021, is expected to become a $1 billion advertising industry.

Hong Kong’s leading free-to-air broadcaster TVB has launched a subscription-based over-the-top (OTT) service, offering live streaming of 20 channels and an 11,000-hour library of content including classic dramas from TVB and acquired programming from South Korea and Japan.

Public broadcasters are facing a converging threat from cost-cutting and the development of new technology. This report analyses the tough choices facing the BBC, benchmarking its funding against 45 countries and making a detailed comparison of the UK institution with its major European peers.

Serbia has introduced a new system of funding public broadcasting as its overhauls media regulation as part of its application to join the European Union (EU). From 1 January, each household has to pay an annual fee - set at 150 dinars (€1.22) for this year - which will be added to their electricity bill.

The Walt Disney Company and the Alibaba Group have announced a multi-year licence agreement to launch DisneyLife, a new on-demand streaming service, in China. China will the second market for DisneyLife, after its exclusive launch in the UK in late November.

Australian online video subscription company, Quickflix has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to acquire a China-based content production company subject to satisfactory completion of further due diligence. Launched in 2003 as a DVD-by-post service, Quickflix launched a Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD) streaming service in Australia during October 2011 followed by the expansion of its streaming service to New Zealand in May 2012. As such, the foray into China marks a new direction for the company.

Hong Kong’s market-leading terrestrial television broadcaster, TVB has been granted renewal of its domestic free-to-air (FTA) broadcasting service licence for 12 years until 2027. The award is subject to a mid-term review in 2021. TVB’s licence was last renewed in 2002, with a validity of 12 years from 2003 to 2015.

Netflix has announced that its service will be launched in Australia and New Zealand on 24 March 2015. Consumers can look forward to original content, local as well as foreign series and films available on smart televisions, set-top boxes, games consoles, tablets and smartphones.

Scrutiny of China’s online streaming portals has increased, resulting in new censorship measures for major US TV series. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), has published a notice demanding that online video providers submit complete seasons of foreign shows with Chinese subtitles to the censorship board before they go on air. Affected are such providers as Tencent, Alibaba, Youku Tudou, Baidu's iQiyi and Sohu.

Tencent, one of China’s leading internet portals, has signed an agreement with HBO to stream the Time Warner-owned network’s TV dramas and movies. Under the deal, Tencent is now the exclusive online distributor of HBO in China.

Private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) is to acquire the South-Eastern European pay TV and broadband operations of SBB/Telemach Group. The deal, the value of which was undisclosed, sees the assets...

The Ukrainian parliament registered a bill amending current advertising legislation. The bill proposes a complete ban of tobacco and alcohol advertising across all media. It also calls for the abolition of any...